Starting on Thursday 22 November, Kim Allan will attempt to run/walk for 500km continuously, without sleep around Auckland Domain. The ultra-distance attempt is expected to take Kim four days during which time she will not be able to sleep or rest for any significant length of time. Kim points out, “This will be a huge challenge, not only physically but mentally and there are days I simply can’t get my head around being awake for that length of time. But in the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done’,” says Kim.

The challenge is supported and sponsored by the Blue Light community policing youth program. “We were so inspired by Kim’s extreme commitment to help others and also her dogged determination to attempt something that seems almost impossible.” said Rod Bell, Blue Light CEO. “With all our youth programs and life skills camps we are teaching young people to believe in their goals, and Kim’s attempt exemplifies this very belief”. Blue Light is keen to support Kim’s fundraising efforts for the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust for research into cures, and the New Zealand Spinal Trust who provide support and back to work services for Kiwis with SCIs.

Ben Lucas, CEO of the New Zealand Spinal Trust, says he is thrilled with Kim’s campaign and knows it was inspired by a recent accident that happened to someone Kim knows. “Claire Donachie is in rehabilitation right now after she fell from her horse and received a spinal cord injury. Knowing that Kim is willing to take on a physical challenge like this, to raise awareness, to support people like Claire and raise funds for organisations like ours is phenomenal. We’re all about enabling people to live independent, confident and productive lives, right now. And we hope the whole region gets behind Kim and what she’s doing.”

Kim, 47 and from Tuakau, first decided to take up ultra-distance events as a way to encourage her four children to stay committed and work through hard times. Her son, Ben, now laughingly points out “Ok Mum, you’ve made your point”. Having competed in several ultra-events, including the Oxfam Trail Walker and the NZ 24 hour race, Kim decided to attempt something that would provide the ‘ultimate challenge’. She admits there is no guarantee that she can actually do it so the challenge is very real.

Because Kim will not be able to sleep during her attempt she needs encouragement to keep going and the public are invited to come to the Domain from Thurs 22 through to Sunday 25 November to cheer her on. On Thursday Kim will be joined by a group of young people taking part in the first Blue Light International Youth Leadership Program. These young people will join Kim for several laps of the Domain.

Kim hopes to beat the record set by Pam Reed, the American Ultra Runner, who completed 486km in just over 80 hours. Kim’s Blue Light 500kms/0hrs Sleep challenge will mean completing 332 laps around the Sri Chinmoy Peace Mile. Kim points out that the time is not important, it’s the distance she is aiming to cover that will break the record. However, the sooner she gets it done the quicker she can get to sleep.
To support Kim’s fundraising efforts for spinal injury please make a donation at http://www.everydayhero.co.nz/kim_allan (NZ Spinal Trust – support services)http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/KimAllan/ (CatWalk – medical research)
and you can follow Kim via Facebook on https://www.facebook.com/bluelight500km0hrsleep

The New Zealand Spinal TrustOur Mission – to empower New Zealanders with spinal cord impairment to live independent, productive and confident lives – right now.

Our Vision – a world where human diversity is valued and celebrated and where the focus is on what you can do – not what you can’t

The New Zealand Spinal Trust helps people to get on with their lives. NZ is home for over 3,500 people with serious spinal impairments (through injury or illness) who are moving forward and living their lives to the full. Having a SCI does not mean that people stop. The NZST supports and provides initiatives that tackle the challenges and changes faced by people with a SCI and lead them to independent, confident and productive lives. We believe that successful rehabilitation is a learning process as well as a health issue, and that independent living and full self-determination are the ultimate goals of rehabilitation.

Our services focus on positive outcomes. They are run by dedicated staff and volunteers, and utilise the direct experience of staff and Trust members who have spinal impairment themselves. We also instigate research, advocacy and support to further people’s abilities to take control of their own rehabilitation and their own lives.

We provide a range of services and programmes assisting with information, employment, re-training, business start-up, peer support and support for family members.

New Zealand Blue Light

New Zealand Blue Light is a registered charity and community policing youth program that for the past 28 years has run programs and activities for youth throughout New Zealand free from drugs, alcohol and violence.

Light New Zealand is a nationwide incorporated society which has a national executive committee and operates 74 branches nationwide. Each branch is responsible for sourcing their own funding to facilitate and provide their own youth community programs.

Blue light is staffed by police officers, who carry out Blue Light Activities over and above their normal police duties along with civilian volunteers. Those involved with Blue Light are passionate about youth and in particularly providing positive experiences for those who may otherwise not have an opportunity.

Although Blue Light is staffed by police, the two operate totally independently and Blue Light does not receive any funding from police.

Blue Light originally began in Australia as a community policing initiative and remains very strong in all of the Australian States and is now active in the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Scotland.